AARP Hearing Center
AARP Livable Communities Map
Neighborhood Alliance (2025) Print
2025 AARP Community Challenge Grantee
Project Category
Disaster Resilience
└ Disaster Preparedness
└ Disaster Preparedness
Older adults in Lorain County often lacked disaster preparedness resources and faced transportation barriers that made it hard to get emergency supplies. Neighborhood Alliance used its Mobile Seniors program to deliver customized preparedness kits directly to these residents, including essential items and guidance from the county emergency management agency. Community partners and volunteers added supplies, expanding the effort. The kits increased safety and confidence, and one recipient said, "For the first time, I feel like I have a plan..." The program also strengthened ongoing wellness checks and created a model that can continue through community support.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Photo Gallery
Image:
Click on a photo to learn more
See More Projects Like This One
Shawnee, OK
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2026
Project Category: Disaster Preparedness
Description: Monthly meetings will provide disaster preparedness training for elders of The Absentee Shawnee Tribe at local community centers. The sessions will improve emergency readiness by offering transportation, weather radios and clear instructions on preparedness tools.
Newark, NJ
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2026
Project Category: Disaster Preparedness
Description: Two sessions will teach disaster preparedness strategies for situations where older adults may be alone. Participants will receive bilingual checklists and basic emergency items.
Shelbyville, KY
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025
Project Category: Disaster Preparedness
Description: Older adults in the community often lacked clear plans for how to respond to severe weather and other emergencies. This left them unsure about evacuation steps, supplies and communication. Marnel C. Moorman Family Life Center addressed this gap through hands-on preparedness sessions that focused on practical planning, first aid basics and emergency alerts. Participants created personal emergency plans and received checklists, local contact information and preparedness resources they could use at home. The sessions also encouraged people to talk through plans with family and neighbors. This strengthened informal support networks. One participant shared, "I created an emergency plan, learned how to use my supplies and even helped my neighbor update theirs. I feel safer." By building skills and confidence, the project helped older adults take concrete steps toward being better prepared when emergencies occur.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects
Lorain, OH
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2019
Project Category: Park enhancements
Description: This project made improvements to Falbo Park, including adding a 20- by 20-foot shade awning, a large glider swing and an additional shade structure featuring a trellis for vines to climb. The City of Lorain designed these enhancements to make Falbo Park a space for intergenerational physical activity, play and community-building. The park hosted activities and provided solace to residents during the COVID-19 pandemic. This project sparked other tangible changes to Falbo Park. In 2021, the City added a butterfly garden to attract pollinators. They also installed accessible bench-style swings in other parts of town, including at the local outdoor concert venue.
Lorain, OH
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2026
Project Category: Transportation Other
Description: The project will install a sidewalk connecting overflow parking to a riverfront event space. The new path will keep pedestrians, mostly age 50-plus, out of traffic during busy concert seasons.
LEARN MORE AND STAY INFORMED
Find articles and resources about making communities more livable for people of all ages
Download or order free publications from AARP Livable Communities
Sign up for the free, weekly, award-winning AARP Livable Communities eNewsletter
Don't see your community listed?
LEARN HOW IT CAN JOIN THE NETWORKConnect with your AARP State Office
AARP has offices in all 50 states as well as in the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
AARP Ohio State Office
17 S. High Street
Suite 800
Columbus, OH 43215
United States